Tell Facebook to shut down wildlife traffickers on its platforms

Running ads on pages that sell ivory is abhorrent

The truth is out and we don’t like it. Facebook has been accused of running ads on pages that sell ivory, rhino horn, and other products from endangered species.

That’s not all. There are Facebook groups dedicated to trading ivory and rhino horn, and Facebook Messenger is used to negotiate prices. Facilitating black market sales puts more elephants and rhinos directly in the crosshairs of poachers.

In March, Facebook joined the Global Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online along with 20 other technology companies. Then they did absolutely nothing to curb the rampant activity of wildlife criminals on their network. There are reportedly thousands of posts on Facebook offering to sell or buy ivory right now.

Help us get Mark Zuckerberg’s attention with a petition signed by at least 80,000 people demanding Facebook prioritize shutting down all activity that facilitates wildlife trafficking. Don’t wait. Add your name now!

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Subject
Shut down wildlife traffickers

Mark Zuckerberg, Chairman & CEO, Facebook

Message

As a member of African Wildlife Foundation's community of activists, I am horrified to learn that Facebook has been accused of running ads on pages advertising the sale of elephant ivory, rhino horn, and other wildlife products.

This must stop immediately. You must also prioritize shutting down all activity related to wildlife trafficking on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, including deleting posts that sell ivory and rhino horn, shutting down Facebook groups devoted to sales of wildlife products, and stopping Facebook Messenger from being used to negotiate prices.

The rampant wildlife trafficking activity on your social media platforms is abhorrent and contributes to the rapid decline of Africa’s elephant, rhino, and other iconic wildlife populations. We will not be satisfied with a few new policies asking wildlife criminals to self-regulate.

In March, Facebook joined the Global Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online along with 20 other technology companies. Yet weeks later, wildlife trafficking is still rampant on your network. If Facebook’s commitment to the Global Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online is genuine, then ending the facilitation of black market sales must become a top-line priority. I stand with AWF and the world’s community of wildlife activists who demand you to take action to stop Facebook’s participation in wildlife trafficking immediately. The word is out and the world is watching what you do next.